A new flu assessment clinic opened Friday to relieve some of the pressure on emergency rooms. 

The Edmonton Flu Care Clinic will opened its doors at noon at the former Woodcroft Health Clinic at 13221 - 115 Avenue just north of Westmount Shopping Centre.

People experiencing “moderate” flu symptoms are urged to visit the clinic. Alberta Health states that specifically trained staff can assess and advise patients, and provide treatment such as providing prescriptions for antivirals. 

Individuals who believe they are seriously ill are advised to visit an emergency room instead.

Alberta Health states you should not come to the Flu Care Clinic if you:

  • Have an illness or injury unrelated to influenza
  • Are seeking care for children under 3 years of age
  • Are pregnant
  • Are immunocompromised, someone undergoing chemotherapy for example
  • Have severe respiratory conditions

The assessment clinic will be open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Officials emphasize immunizations will not be available at the clinic; they say the demand for the flu vaccine is exceeding supply.

More than a million vaccinations exceeded: health officials

Friday afternoon, the province announced the number of vaccinations received in Alberta has surpassed one million, making it the most successful seasonal influenza vaccination campaign in Alberta’s history.

Due to the significant uptake, Alberta Health Services will begin issuing public service announcements in the province’s health regions, and updating its website, to make people aware of public immunization clinics closing as supply runs out.

“From years of experience we know that not every Albertan will choose to get immunized, as a result, we always have vaccine leftover at the end of the season,” said Dr. James Talbot, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “This will be the first year that demand has been greater than supply.”

Dr. Talbot is in discussions with chief medical officers across the country to review what supply may be available and how it could be distributed. To date, all but three jurisdictions have put in requests for more vaccine.

As of January 8, there had been 1,571 lab confirmed cases of influenza this season, 372 flu-related hospitalizations, 54 flu-related stays in ICU and 8 influenza attributed deaths in Alberta.